New spaces and places improve learning

Staff and children at Russet House School are celebrating the opening of their new exciting extension for the very youngest children whose needs cannot be met in mainstream schools.

Russet House is a special school for children with autism and Enfield Council has funded the extension at a cost of £2.46 million with additional contributions from the school.

It contains a new kitchen and hall / dining area; a computer room; new hall and a superb sensory room.

Cllr Ayfer Orhan, Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said, “This new building will help us meet the demand for more school places and it is designed to help the children with such special needs enjoy learning.

“A modern new kitchen equipped with full cooking facilities means that children can now enjoy a tasty fresh midday meal prepared and cooked on site. No longer is it necessary to have meals delivered from a nearby school. I am so pleased that this and other parts of the extension really improve this school.”

Headteacher, Julie Foster, said, “We are all delighted. The extension has made a huge difference to our teaching and our children’s enthusiasm.

“The new hall is a flexible space used for dining, for PE and as a performance area. It includes the latest audio-visual equipment and lighting and will be available for community lettings.

“Our new early years’ playground has a safe drop-off area and a separate car park for staff and visitors – we are thrilled.”

A specially-designed computer room enables the children to use Information Technology as part of their everyday learning.

But perhaps the most stunning development is an interactive sensory room.

Julie Foster explained, “This is a remarkable feature that helps our children explore their senses. It operates through gestures and movement made by the children.

“Using light, images and sound, children can find themselves anywhere their imaginations take them. It is pure magic – an absolutely positive place that can become a place of calm and beauty or excitement and adventure.

“This is a pioneering approach to the learning and teaching at Russet House enabling all the children to expand their senses and discover new ideas.”